Erma Helquist Redd

Erma Helquist Redd passed away April 18, 2024, in Farmington, Utah. She was born July 4, 1932, in Blanding, Utah to Charles Kenneth Helquist and Kora Johnson Helquist. As a young child, she believed people were celebrating her birthday when July 4 patriotic festivities were held. A descendant of Joel H. Johnson, a pioneer settler of several Utah cities, and Jens Nielsen, an early Utah handcart pioneer and San Juan County settler, she was proud of her pioneer, San Juan Mission and “Hole in the Rock” heritage and the “Sticky ta Tudy” attitude of her ancestors. As the oldest living child of her family, she often served as a mother figure to her seven younger siblings during their mother’s illnesses and convalescence.

She fell in love with John P. (“Jack”) Redd, also of Blanding, and they married at a young age. After Jack graduated from college they moved to Bountiful, Utah where they raised their six children, J. Michael (Kathy) Redd, David (Patti) Redd, Linda Roundy, Lowry (Kim) Redd, Audree (Chris) Jones and Kristin (Don) Rasmussen.

While Jack was busy providing for the family, obtaining an education, starting an engineering consulting business and serving his church (as a young Bishop) and community (as a State Legislator), Erma supported him in these pursuits and raised and nurtured her large young family. She herself held many church and community leadership positions and was always anxiously engaged in good causes but was most comfortable as a homemaker and mother. She read to her children and encouraged them to be good and to do good. She made sure they were dressed and ready for school and church. She welcomed the children’s friends into her home and provided hot homemade bread and butter for everyone who came by. She kept food storage, held morning and evening family prayers and family home evenings. She kept a clean house (one of the few women who washed walls) and an attractive yard. She was an excellent cook. In her later years she spent many hours making chocolate chip cookies that everyone wanted and appreciated. She was petite, well-coiffed and always well dressed. She was proud of her children, her twenty-nine grandchildren, her eighty-two great grandchildren and her two great great grandchildren. She kept a small spiral notebook with all of their names and birthdays in her immaculate handwriting. She sent all of them a card and some money on their birthdays and at Christmas time. It made her happy to give gifts to those she loved.

When Jack retired they served senior missions in the Knoxville, Tennessee Mission and in the Brazil Curitiba Mission. They loved the missionaries and humble church members in those areas. They also served as ordinance workers in the Bountiful, Utah temple. She and Jack were faithful in keeping their covenants and trying to set an example of Christ like behavior. Jack passed away in 2010 and Erma continued hosting and attending family activities and events, to which she provided platefuls of chocolate chip cookies. She continued regular temple service.

When she could no longer live independently she relocated to Covington Senior Living in Farmington where she enjoyed her association with the residents, management and staff. She knew they were her angels on earth. She was particularly blessed by the attention paid to her by the leadership of the Steed Creek Branch, who showed extraordinary love, concern, compassion, and support for her. Her family are very grateful for the attention paid to her during these last years of her life.

She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; her brothers and sisters: Corine Hurst, Salt Lake City; LaMar (Colleen) Helquist, Orem; Boyd (Betty) Helquist, Provo; Kenalee (Steven) Winn, Nephi; LaRue (Hugh) Kirkham, Blanding; and Lyle (Deanne) Helquist, Lindon. Her brothers Kenneth Jr. and Charles, her sister, Audree Nelson, and two grandchildren, James Roundy and Rachel Bell predeceased her.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, where friends and family may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. before the funeral.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page.  The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below. 

Memories may be shared in the "Guestbook" on this obituary page.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund, Children's Service Society of Utah, or your favorite charity, would be appreciated.